Reflection for the first Sunday after Easter 19 April 2020

The gospel for the first Sunday after Easter is John 20:19-31. Peace be with you.
Peace be with you is a very common greeting when people meet in many parts of the world today.
It literally means I come to you in peace. My intentions towards you are good. I mean you no harm.

In the last couple of weeks have you been spending time walking or sitting in the natural world or
even observing a potted plant for a while? Have you made any discoveries about the world
or about yourself or about God? Have you been listening for God in these slower quieter times?
Have you ever observed when sitting quietly in a field or park or garden, that when you sit still,
animals and birds draw closer to you? Cattle especially will come right up close, sniff you and even
give you a lick with their tongue. They no longer see you as a threat but as an object of interest.
They see you sitting peacefully and approach you in peace.

On the evening of the first Easter day the disciples had isolated themselves behind locked doors
in a house because they were afraid that those who had orchestrated Jesus’ death would come
for them next. They hid in fear. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus found them. They weren’t out looking for Jesus. Jesus found them.

​An aspect of prayer and meditation is letting God find you, allowing God to find you, allowing God
o come to you, allowing the love of God come to you, allowing the peace of Christ to come to you,
allowing the breath of the Holy Spirit to rest upon you, filling you, refreshing you, restoring you.
Peace be with you. May the peace of Christ find you this day. Amen.

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